Fatal fire probed

3 kids still critical

SOUTH SIDE — The cause of a South Side blaze that killed a mother and her 3-year-old son was still being investigated Tuesday, and three other children remained in critical condition, officials said.

Two children, Pricilla Gales, 7, and Jamika Gales, 8, were in the University of Chicago Hospitals after suffering smoke inhalation, a hospital spokeswoman said. Javada Holmes, 14, was in Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Their mother, Golita Mason, 36, died of smoke inhalation, a spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiner's office said Tuesday. Mason's son, Lavar, also died in the fire.

Firefighters found one smoke detector without batteries in their apartment in the 5300 block of South Carpenter Street, said Fire Department spokesman Dennis Gault.

City building inspectors determined Tuesday that the exterior damage was not extensive and the structure can be saved, said Building Department spokeswoman Kristin Lobbins-Cabanban.